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Poll Of Republicans: Prison No Longer The Only Criminal Justice Option
January 20, 2012
A poll sponsored by advocates for criminal justice reform found a large number of Florida Republicans appear to agree with them – that it is now OK to talk about getting a little softer on some criminals.
A number of politicians and interest groups have watched as crime has dropped, while the economy has tanked in recent years, leading to a number of discussions about moving away from some of the tougher “lock ‘em up” sentencing practices of the last couple of decades, primarily driven by Republicans.
A poll commissioned by the Florida TaxWatch Center for Smart Justice and Associated Industries of Florida and released Thursday found that more than 8 in 10 GOP voters in the state support additional use of things like work-release and treatment programs. The poll, conducted by Tel Opinion Research, surveyed 800 registered Florida Republicans who said they were likely voters. More than 6 in 10 of the respondents were over 55.
Nearly three-quarters, 73 percent, said they agreed that fewer people convicted of non-violent crimes should be sent to prison, and that the state needs a stronger probation and parole system. The poll also found that 81 percent support certain community-based alternatives to juvenile prisons.
By The News Service of Florida
Comments
5 Responses to “Poll Of Republicans: Prison No Longer The Only Criminal Justice Option”
REGARDING:
“A number of politicians and interest groups have watched as crime has dropped, while the economy has tanked in recent years, leading to a number of discussions about moving away from some of the tougher “lock ‘em up” sentencing practices”
I wasn’t polled since I’m not a Republican but I DO agree incarceration isn’t always the answer to any crime (especially considering how many cousins I have who would and have been affected). Still, folks should remember that some can only be stopped from preying on others by iron bars and suchlike, physical barriers.
It’s also interesting to consider that this implies some are saying the incarceration policy is being so successful that we don’t have enough crime being committed so we need to relax it to reverse the drop in criminal acts. I doubt future victims would like that to happen.
Also, many a poll has questions which have implied right answers — things like: “Would you like to spend more money locking up nonviolent criminals even though doing so is ineffective?” or “Would you like to reduce crime and government expenditures by seeking effective alternatives to incarceration for minor nonviolent crimes?”
Nobody wants to see their money wasted, so even though the question implies it is being wasted without quite saying so, it doesn’t actually promise a better alternative. We should be careful of bias in the poll questions.
Also, just because crimes are daily reported, that doesn’t mean the rate has gone up or down just that reporters and publishers acknowledged the fact. Look at the arrest record in the paper. You will see many people charged with many crimes. It seems most are too boring to report other than the fact that charges were filed.
David for perfect polls
That’s 2 for 2 @Bratt Res. let’s really watch who we give a break to and
this stuff that crime is down LOLOLOLOLOLOL
Sure crime is down, jobs are great and the housing market is all turned
around. LOLOLOLOLOLOL
LIER, LIER, PANTS ON FIRE~
Definantly agree with “Bratt Res” 100%.
Cant figure out what news channel the statics group have been watching. There has been more crime than ever before. I watched the other night in disgust. There were at least 6 reports on killings on channel 3. I do agree that non violent crimes could have reform programs, just so long it dont burden the tax payer anymore than now. The reform program needs to include labor, hard labor. Clean our country up, paint, weedeat, pick up our highways and country roads and seperate recyclable materials. I could go on and on about how to reform a 20 yr old thug that has stolen an item or something. Dont descriminate, girls get same punishment.
This movement seems to be in direct conflict with Gov. Scott’s prison privatization initiative, which will demand prisoners in the name of profit for his business buddies.